I'm always looking for great Hanukkah stories, and so I was really excited to give this one a try. I like aTo be honest, this was a weird one for me.
I'm always looking for great Hanukkah stories, and so I was really excited to give this one a try. I like a kinky story, and I've never read or imagined a kinky Hanukkah story, so I needed to have it.
First of all, you should know that this is very short, so short that I read it in under 10 minutes. Also, there is absolutely no sex, just some spanking and wax-play. It also involves an established couple, something that generally doesn't appeal to me in romance, but is sometimes okay in kink or erotica. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was a femdom story, but I think that aspect could have been pushed even a little harder.
Overall, this was an okay short. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I guess I can check "Hanukkah BDSM-story" off my bucket list.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
Merged review:
To be honest, this was a weird one for me.
I'm always looking for great Hanukkah stories, and so I was really excited to give this one a try. I like a kinky story, and I've never read or imagined a kinky Hanukkah story, so I needed to have it.
First of all, you should know that this is very short, so short that I read it in under 10 minutes. Also, there is absolutely no sex, just some spanking and wax-play. It also involves an established couple, something that generally doesn't appeal to me in romance, but is sometimes okay in kink or erotica. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was a femdom story, but I think that aspect could have been pushed even a little harder.
Overall, this was an okay short. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I guess I can check "Hanukkah BDSM-story" off my bucket list.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*...more
This is a hard rating for me because I think that K.D. Casey is a fantastic writer, and not many people are writing baseball M/M romances, much less wThis is a hard rating for me because I think that K.D. Casey is a fantastic writer, and not many people are writing baseball M/M romances, much less with such fantastic Jewish rep, but Diamond Ring had one too many issues for me to bump up my rating.
I don't mind hard-fought romances, but I have to feel like the two MCs are meant for each other, and I didn't quite feel that here. There was so much back and forth with these two and so many hurt feelings and so much time that I got a bit overwhelmed and tired of their story. I didn't think they had enough to sustain them as a couple, and for the length of the book, I didn't think their romance lived up to it.
Diamond Ring has a lot of similarities to K.D. Casey's previous stories. LOTS of baseball details (the author clearly knows their stuff), and lots of various types of Jewish rep (love that), so if those are your things, the book might work for you. I happened to have enjoyed both of the previous books in the series, but this one felt too similar to stand out but also not quite as engaging for me.
I also don't love time jumps and second chance romance books, so those didn't help. I think the author should condense the story and make the guys less... miserable? I hate to say it, but the book felt a little joyless.
I think I'll try another K.D. Casey book, but I'm hoping it's something a bit different and a bit more engaging.
I usually like Roan Parrish but this was by far my least favorite in her Garnet Run series. It felt boring and bland, despite the Halloween theme, andI usually like Roan Parrish but this was by far my least favorite in her Garnet Run series. It felt boring and bland, despite the Halloween theme, and I struggled the whole way through.
Garnet Run is a charming series of books that takes place in a queer-friendly Wyoming town. The Rivals of Casper Road is the 4th in the series, though they can all be read as stand-alones.
Though this book seems like it would be interesting (Jewish MC who loves horror movies with a tragic family past paired with a nature-y wood carver MC who likes making houses for cats), it all felt very surface level. I knew I *should* find these two to be unique, quirky characters, but instead they had a distinct lack of chemistry and a plot I couldn't get into.
I honestly found the Halloween decorating contest only minimally interesting, and it really wasn't enough to hold my attention. Combine that with a prank war the grated on my nerves, and I wasn't a happy camper. It was even hard to read the sex scenes, I found this couple to be so cringy together. Plus, I think Zachary was supposed to come across as an atypical MC, but his character development just didn't click into a cohesive character for me.
Yes, I know I seem like I'm trashing the story, but it just wasn't my speed. No, it isn't a horribly written book, it just didn't resonate with me, especially from a romance perspective. I have enjoyed this series so far, so I'm hoping the next Garnet Run book is an improvement. I hope...
I didn't know that Jewish sports romances was a niche I needed but K.D. Casey is really making me a superfan with with every single book they write. I didn't know that Jewish sports romances was a niche I needed but K.D. Casey is really making me a superfan with with every single book they write.
I'm going to be honest and say that even though I don't know baseball at all, the tone and Jewish-ness of this story really resonated with me. As an east coast Jewish girl with the typical sports-obsessed family (my cousin just had a Yankees-themed birthday party for his two year old in Queens), I really relate to this author's Jewish characters. They feel like home, so even though the sports aspect is a *shrugs shoulders* situation, I get this story.
I was a bit worried that this book would feel too much like Unwritten Rules, but it really felt like it's own story. I was immensely relieved at that.
I enjoyed the slow burn, friends-to-lovers story because we get to see these two go from strangers to friends to more over time. Everything felt well paced and organic, though for fans of a more fast-paced story, this author's writing might not be for you. It is the kind of story that feels like it takes its time.
I also really liked the Jewish elements of this story. The way that Reid practices Judaism is a bit different than the characters in this author's previous books, and I really enjoyed that. It is extremely apparent that this author is also Jewish from the way that they write Jewish nuances, and so I'm happy to see a range of Jewish expression shown in their stories. I would really like to see a super observant Jew also as a MC in the future (hint, hint) because that's rarely shown in queer romance, for many obvious and not so obvious reasons.
The addition of substance abuse and anxiety representation was also very welcome. I think the author showed those two characters and their struggles with care and nuance.
I think the ending of the story could have been more satisfying as to their long-term relationship, but I think we got a very lovely slow-burn romance here with lots of sports elements. Another wonderful book by K.D. Casey.
A fitting and wonderful ending to an absolutely gripping series. I ADORED this whole series as a whole, and it dominated my life for two days. I barelA fitting and wonderful ending to an absolutely gripping series. I ADORED this whole series as a whole, and it dominated my life for two days. I barely stopped to sleep or eat the entire time I was wrapped up in these books. I will say that I think these two behaved toxically with each other, and things wrapped up a little too OTT for me, but this series will always hold a special place in my heart.
I know what you are thinking... 3 stars??? But you LOVE this series?!, and yes I do. But I both loved and hated this book at the same time.
If you are I know what you are thinking... 3 stars??? But you LOVE this series?!, and yes I do. But I both loved and hated this book at the same time.
If you are a fan of relationship angst and just PAIN, you *might* like this one. But the OTT killer antics combined with the way these two guys hurt each other was a little too much for me.
Fantastic writing, and I read it straight through in one sitting (ADORE the writing style), but my heart hurt all the way through. These guys are battling demons from the inside and out, and they are just not kind to each other during this story. Plus, the killer takes a turn for the dramatic (and I'm like 100% sure I know who it is).
This book was HARD for me to read. Very angsty, and I don't particularly enjoy relationship drama, but I could NOT put it down. It's currently 5 am anThis book was HARD for me to read. Very angsty, and I don't particularly enjoy relationship drama, but I could NOT put it down. It's currently 5 am and I read straight through the night.
These books are difficult to review. Murders and drama both escalate. Blood, sex, and angst ensues. I'm going right on to the 4th book.
Aside from some waxy details (look at the title), this was almost... normal? Boring? I'm confused. Aside from some waxy details (look at the title), this was almost... normal? Boring? I'm confused. ...more
When I first started Unwritten Rules by K.D. Casey, I wasn't sure what to think. I mean, third person, present tense?? Time jumps between p*4.5 stars*
When I first started Unwritten Rules by K.D. Casey, I wasn't sure what to think. I mean, third person, present tense?? Time jumps between past and present??? Heavy, heavy baseball content, like technicall stuff?? Oy, it was hurting my head and my heart, especially because I was promised a great story from a multitude of friends. However, once I really got into the story, I simply could not put it down.
I have a particular type in romance books, and I love, love, love an MC with a disability, chronic illness, neurodiversity... you give me an out-of-the-box MC and I'm putty. I adored that we got an MC who was hard-of-hearing, even if that actually factored fairly little into the story. I also loved that the other MC was non-white, which makes sense for a baseball romance and I was happy to see it. Plus (!!), a Jewish MC!! I would bet money that the author is Jewish because so many details were done correctly. It's hard to write realistic-feeling Jewish MCs without being Jewish yourself, so I've found, so props to K.D. Casey. I can also tell that the author is knowledgeable and passionate about baseball, which is nice to see, even though I know next to nothing about the sport.
Truly, the time skips were my biggest headaches because I hate those in books, but I was able to look past it to see the beautiful, hard-fought romance. This is an angsty story, and you will get frustrated with Zach, but it's all worth it in the end. I even cried a little at the lovely last few chapters, which made all of the back and forth in the middle worthwhile.
A must-read for those who like Jewish MCs, MCs with disabilities, and sports romances with moderate steam. I can't wait to read more books from this author in the future.
The Love Hypothesis is the kind of book that I think is better for newbie romance readers. For me, with thousands of romance books under my be[image]
The Love Hypothesis is the kind of book that I think is better for newbie romance readers. For me, with thousands of romance books under my belt, it became painful to read by the end.
I started out reading The Love Hypothesis feeling giddy and elated. I *adored* the geeky, surly professor and poor grad student dynamic, and the narration by Callie Dalton was bangin'. I was 100000% sure that I was going to love this book, and I started recommending it to everyone. But slowly, slowly, things starting creeping in.
I will be the first to admit that The Love Hypothesis is an impressive debut from Ali Hazelwood. I'm impossibly excited to read her future work, but I dearly hope she changes a few things about how she crafts romance books for her second novel.
This book is *excruciating* at times. The number of miscommunications and misunderstandings and deliberate withholding of information truly boggles the mind. With such a skilled narrator and such a great start to the book, you would think I would be riveted to the story, but by the end I had to speed up the narration a ton just to force myself to finish. I wanted to smack both characters in the head. Repeatedly.
It is a huge pet peeve of mine when authors rely on miscommunications for the whole tension and plot of a book, and by 50% of the way in, it became abundantly clear that this is what we were facing. I was pretty upset that what had seemed so promising took such a sideways turn.
Look, maybe you'll love this book and eat up every morsel, but I was actually angry by the end of this book. Your mileage may vary with this one.
You guys don't even know how badly I wanted to 5-star-love this book. I mean, a contemporary romance book about a Jewish dental student?? W*3.5 stars*
You guys don't even know how badly I wanted to 5-star-love this book. I mean, a contemporary romance book about a Jewish dental student?? Where have you been all my life!? Plus, I so badly want to support Mazey Eddings in her debut, which is even more impressive since she is a dental student herself. However, when it came down to it, I had some issues with the story.
Let's start with the good. Mazey Eddings's dental content is on point (natch), and I adored reading about the little dental school, nerdy details. Trust me when I say she gets everything right, and I was smiling along thinking about the colored scrubs by grade and taking those stupid alginate impressions. I also really loved her anxiety rep, and I thought that the side characters were all funny and interesting. Lots of good things to enjoy in this book.
However, I struggled a bit with a few aspects of the story, also. I found the male MC to be too forgiving and a little lack-luster. He felt like a pushover in every aspect of his life, and I thought he gave the female MC too much leeway without her giving him the same considerations in return. I wasn't a huge fan of them together, mostly because I felt sorry for him for putting in a ton of effort that was only half-heartedly reciprocated.
For me, the pacing was a little off also. I lost some steam while reading the middle of the book, and I actually put the story down and started another one before coming back to finish this. I think something about how they got together really early and then sort of dragged along wasn't as engaging for me. I did, however, liked how well they knew each other and their intimacy towards the end.
I think this book was a strong debut from Mazey Eddings, even if I'm a picky, jaded romance reader who has super high expectations. Mazey did the dental profession proud, and I'm sure most readers will eat this one up.
I had extremely high hopes for His for Hanukkah by Reese Morrison. I mean, Hanukkah M/M romances alone are rare, but a Hanukkah romance with daddy kinI had extremely high hopes for His for Hanukkah by Reese Morrison. I mean, Hanukkah M/M romances alone are rare, but a Hanukkah romance with daddy kink and a trans MC?? OMG, I was ready to be living that dream. But, alas, it was not the Jewish nirvana I was expecting it would be.
I'm hoping Reese Morrison is Jewish because they made Adam so unlikeable that if they weren't Jewish I would even feel mildly offended. Adam is intolerable. I'm a Jew who exists in the world around the holidays, and yeah, it's a little annoying how Christmas gets all of the focus, but Adam complained about it every single chance he got. He made being Jewish look exhausting. His whining was so pervasive that it was actually his main personality trait.
The kink was.... meh, and the romance was literally non-existent. I kept wanting these two to have a lick of chemistry but I couldn't find it.
Bonus points for a trans dom (more of this, please), but if you are looking for good Hanukkah romances, I'd look elsewhere.
I was really excited for this road trip romance featuring a Jewish lesbian and her genderqueer knight in shining armor who picks her up from the side I was really excited for this road trip romance featuring a Jewish lesbian and her genderqueer knight in shining armor who picks her up from the side of the road when her car breaks down. But, alas, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting.
Even after I finished the book, I'm not sure if it was supposed to be funny or not. Was it?? There were scenes that were bizarrely written with over-sized reactions and odd conversations, and I'm not sure if that was the author writing humor. In fact, the way the author wrote dialogue was some of the weakest parts of the book for me. It just didn't flow in a natural way.
There were some serious moments, which I enjoyed, and some nice diversity, but they were overshadowed by the insta-love and the improbable situations that the characters found themselves in. The romance didn't gel or evolve naturally. It all felt very forced and very phony. The whole book felt very surface level and it never came together.
I realize that this book is a debut, so I'm hopeful the author can find her voice a bit more in her subsequent books. This one was not a win.
A solid debut f/f romance from Kelly Farmer, though the book suffers from being too draggy at times.
I'm getting more into lesfic romance, and becauseA solid debut f/f romance from Kelly Farmer, though the book suffers from being too draggy at times.
I'm getting more into lesfic romance, and because I'm obsessed with hockey players, I figured Out on the Ice would be a perfect fit for me. In many ways, I was right. I liked the sports/hockey aspects of the book, even if they could have been highlighted a bit more, and I think the story had a ton of potential.
I really liked having a half-Jewish MC (shout out to my fellow Jewish ladies!), and I loved the strong bi-rep in the book. There was a lot of bi-education, but it worked for me and didn't feel like too much. I also loved the discussions about mental health and anxiety and depression. It made the book feel very real. Neither characters are close to perfect, and I liked seeing them as whole people with flaws.
I read a lot of books without any sex content at all, and that usually works fine for me, but I wish this book had had sex on page. There was SO MUCH sexual buildup to this story that the fade-to-black scene just about killed me. Also, just know that the image on the cover of the two MCs doesn't really reflect what they look like. You'll need to rearrange that in your mind.
My main issue with the story was how slow it was. I can take a very character-focused book without much plot, but the author really has to write a snappy book. This one dragggggged. I read it over two weeks, which is a long time for me, and I had to push to finish it.
I also think that the characters didn't seem exactly suited for one another. At times, they felt too different and wanting different things, so I wasn't all in for them. I really liked them as individuals, but I wasn't sure about them together.
A good hockey romance with some well-developed characters, I think Out on the Ice will appeal to readers who don't mind a slow-paced story. I think Kelly Farmer has great things up her sleeve, and I look forward to reading more from her.
I enjoyed this gamer-geek, new adult read from Annabeth Albert, even though I've read more compelling books from her in the past. Conventionally YoursI enjoyed this gamer-geek, new adult read from Annabeth Albert, even though I've read more compelling books from her in the past. Conventionally Yours is a bit different from what I've previously read from Annabeth Albert, but I think it will please many fans of hers, especially those who like her #gaymers series.
Truthfully, I much prefer the tension and faster pace of her military romances, but this story had a lot to like. I enjoyed the diversity of Conventionally Yours, and I'm always excited to get a Jewish MC (even though I wish Jewish characters were shown to be good at cooking things other than latkas, but that's neither here nor there). I know this is a little been there, done that but the stereotype of the pushy, overachieving Jewish parents is a real thing, and I enjoyed seeing Jewish characters I identified with here. Plus, we get a neuro-diverse MC, which I absolutely love in romance.
I know literally nothing about gaming, and I think it might help if you are at least interested in gaming to keep you engaged in this story. The plot is pretty focused on the actual act of gaming, and I found those parts to be a little... boring. It isn't my thing, so maybe it would help if it was your thing, though I don't think it's a requirement to enjoy this story.
Also, I think this is the first new adult book I've read from this author, and I have to say, I missed the heat from her previous books. It isn't fade-to-black, but it's very tame, especially from Annabeth Albert. Perhaps that reflects the younger age of the characters or the more mainstream publisher or just the author's mood, but it's something readers might want to know going into the story.
I found the enemies-to-lovers plotline to be very fun (as it always it), plus we get one of my favorite plot devices (There is only one bed in the hotel room!), which is always a winner for me.
The romance itself was just okay, and I wish I felt more sparks between them. I'm not sure if it's because the middle of the book felt very draggy (just a looooong time road-tripping), but the romance and tension between the two MCs wasn't at the level that I was expecting.
A solid new adult romance for those who enjoy gaming and Annabeth Albert, though I don't think this series is exactly my speed. I'm excited for this author to have a mainstream publisher and I can't wait to see where her career goes next.
When I requested this book to review, I was pumped to find a Passover romance, and one with a deaf main character at that. It was both exci*2.5 stars*
When I requested this book to review, I was pumped to find a Passover romance, and one with a deaf main character at that. It was both exciting and refreshing, and I couldn't wait to dive in. Of course, this year, my big at-home Passover seder with my extended family is completely cancelled (if you are reading this from the future, Covid- 19 sucks and ruins everything), so this book gave me big twangs of nostalgia and regret. While I was wistful reading some scenes and happy about how the author crafted parts of the story, other aspects of the book made me want to bang my head against the wall.
First of all, I love how the author handled the MC being deaf (as the author is hard of hearing herself, it's no wonder she did such a great job with it). I love romance books with interesting main characters, and I loved the challenge of an MC with communication barriers. I also loved the level of "Jewishness" of the story. As someone who is Jewish but, uh, a lazy practitioner, I enjoyed the culturally Jewish aspects of the story. I liked how both MCs were Jewish and related to the rituals, but weren't fanatical about the details of the holiday. Personally, that's how I practice, and so it was fun to read about as well. I also loved how the author didn't make the story out to be a Hebrew School lesson. It was mildly didactic, but mostly just something that both Jews and non-Jews could relate to and understand.
However, though the author did those aspects of the story very well, the romance was sorely lacking. I hate the "silly misunderstanding" plot device, and the author used it here and used it hard. So much could have been resolved with some simple texting. It wasn't necessary to have characters storming out on one another and not explaining things when everything was SO simple to explain. It was frustrating to no end how these two didn't communicate. You'd think that the language barrier would be the biggest issue but it was their own stupidity that did them in!
I also just didn't see why these guys liked each other all that much. I didn't get the whole "I like to fix women with issues" thing the male MC kept saying, and I didn't see how one weekend together with lots of awkwardness could possibly lead to love. Really missed the chemistry and the romance. I wish I had felt the love, since I loved that this was a Passover romance with a character with a disability, but it just wasn't there.
A decent read in many ways, but missed the mark as a romance for me. I look forward to more of these types of books from this author in the future.
A timely read and an important romance novella, though I really wish it was longer so the couple got more page time to develop.
Novellas ar*3.5 stars*
A timely read and an important romance novella, though I really wish it was longer so the couple got more page time to develop.
Novellas are hard to do well, but Alyssa Cole did the novella format justice with Let It Shine. I picked an incredibly relevant time to read this topical story of a romance between a Black woman and Jewish man set in the early 1960s. Whew, this book was tough to read at times, but it's such a powerful little story.
My only real gripe is that as a romance, it felt like it was on fast-forward, just zooming through to get to the end. I liked the multiple epilogues, but I really wanted more time with these two to see their romance progress. The historical aspects shined and really engaged me, but the romance was more lack-luster. Still, one of my favorites from Alyssa Cole, and I'd love to her to write more historical romances as she seems to have a knack for them.
Is this a Hanukkah story?? Is it? Because it sure didn't read like one...
I picked this one up because as a Jew, I'm always looking to read at least onIs this a Hanukkah story?? Is it? Because it sure didn't read like one...
I picked this one up because as a Jew, I'm always looking to read at least one good Hanukkah romance a year. Just one! Is that so much to ask? But, alas, I was disappointed by this one.
To have a Hanukkah romance with an Asian MC is pretty noteworthy, actually. I don't think I've ever read a Hanukkah romance where the MC was a POC, so I found it strange that it was barely mentioned in the story. I mean, I saw the cover and read the MC's name, but it was odd that I had to go hunting for any details about his ethnicity.
I'm not a particularly religious Jew, but the story was shockingly lacking any Jewish elements. I mean, if you are advertising as a Hanukkah romance, it better feel more, well, like an actual Jewish holiday. Not like a coopted Christmas romance.
I also found it difficult to read because of Garnet's lack of empathy for Caleb's condition. I mean, she was superficially interested in his disabilities and PTSD, but it was all framed around her. I found her to be self-centered and not very likable. I also didn't quite get her backstory and why she was so prickly at times. Just wanted more from her.
I guess my main thing is don't make a Hanukkah story without it being about Hanukkah and you won't anger your Jewish readers. shrugs
As a Jewish reader, I'm always on the lookout for books with Jewish protagonists, and bonus points if they aren't horribly depressing. A nice romance book with Jewish MCs, and bonus, a historical romance (my favorite), and I'm all in. I was so, so thrilled to see this book and this series, and I couldn't wait to try it. But, alas, it wasn't all that I was expecting.
I liked the Jewish aspects of the story most of all. I liked the signs of the characters' religious observances, like the male MC's tzitzit and kippah, and the little ways that their Judaism affected their life.
However, I struggled with the characters themselves. Both seemed a bit fickle and immature, both toying with one another and going back and forth with their emotions. I had a hard time getting behind them, both individually and as a couple.
But an even bigger issue was the pacing. It took me absolutely ages to finish the story, and I found it to be very slow and hard to get through. After two weeks of forcing myself to read, I had to skim a bit in order to finish.
Maybe it's the fact that I don't really read any American romance, or maybe it's that this was my first experience with this author, but the book didn't quite measure up. Too bad, since the world needs more Jewish romance.
I didn't properly read reviews before starting the audiobook of Life Will Be the Death of Me: . . . and You Too!, and I expected it to be another outrageous, funny, anecdotal book from Chelsea Handler. That's not at all what I got. This book is a deep, introspective look at Chelsea Handler's life, shortcomings, and personality traits that make up the complex person that she is today. It is a serious story, and it's told very movingly and with much more vulnerability than I would have though Chelsea Handler to be capable of.
If you have the chance to listen to this book in audio format, take it. I couldn't stop listening to Chelsea's voice, which ranges in tone from brazen to outraged to quivering with raw emotion. During the very meaty parts of the story, Chelsea is just opening crying while she reads. It was very enlightening listening experience for me.
The story feels like a train of thought that never ends. It is like one long, gutting therapy session (at times, it is literally that). It humanized Chelsea Handler for me, who previously seemed chiefly just bawdy and tough.
When I described the gist of the book to my husband, his immediate reaction was, Why would anyone listen to that? I'll admit, it's hard to describe the appeal of reading about a woman in her 40s examining her privilege, learning empathy for the first time, and digging deep into the reasons she is the way that she is. However, I found the audiobook to be addictive in a serious, contemplative way, and I had a hard time pressing pause.
Go into this book looking for something different, not something funny or particularly entertaining. I found it to be a very worthwhile listening experience, and I know I'll be thinking about Chelsea Handler in a new light from now on.
Heather K (dentist in my spare time)
>
Books:
i-spy-a-fellow-jew
(57)
Loading...
